Apple tree named ‘Moon Rouge’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct apple variety is described, the variety results from controlled cross pollination between (Jonathan×Pink Pearl)×Fuji. The fruit of the apple tree of this new variety has an attractive appearance characterized by unique color (flesh color radiates through the skin color). The new variety has been named ‘Moon Rouge’.

Genus and species plant claimed: Malus domestica.

Variety denomination: ‘Moon Rouge’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Malus domestica hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Moon Rouge’. The new plant variety described herein resulted from controlled cross pollination between (Jonathan×Pink Pearl)×Fuji performed in 2005 in Nagano prefecture, Japan. The controlled cross was performed in the inventor's apple orchard. Approximately 300 hybrid seeds were sown in the spring of 2006, and top grafting on 16 year-old Fuji trees (‘CG24’ rootstock) was performed using their scions in spring of 2007 in Nagano. The year of first bearing was 2010 and the variety was selected in 2011. The new variety was determined to be distinct from the parent varieties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This variety can be characterized by its large size (over 300 gms grown in Japan) light pink flesh, tendency for water core and unique color (flesh color radiates through the skin color). Moon rouge displays bright white lenticels and often has water core. ‘Moon Rouge’ was asexually reproduced and is currently grown in Japan under Japanese conditions.

Moon rouge was determined to be distinct from the parent varieties ‘Irodori’ (Jonathan×Pink Pearl) and ‘Fuji’, as well as the closely related variety, ‘Enbu’ by the following characteristics. ‘Moon Rouge’ has yellow colored fruit skin compared with ‘Irodori’ which has red colored fruit skin. ‘Moon Rouge’ has red colored fruit fresh compared with ‘Fuji’ which does not. ‘Moon Rouge’ has yellow colored fruit skin compared with ‘Enbu’ which has red colored fruit skin. ‘Moon Rouge’ has a later harvest (late October to early/late November) than ‘Pink Pearl’ (mid-September).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying colour photographs show typical specimens of the tree, foliage and fruit of the new variety as depicted in colours as nearly true as is reasonably possible to make the same in a colour illustration of this character.

FIG. 1 shows fruit on the tree

FIG. 2 shows a close up view of fruit on the tree

FIG. 3 shows uncut and fruit and transverse sections through fruit

FIG. 4 shows uncut and fruit, and transverse and longitudinal sections through fruit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following botanical description is based on observations made during the 2013 growing season in Nagano prefecture, Japan. The observations are based on top grafted (8 year-old) branches on 16 year-old ‘Fuji’/CG24. Color observations are made in accordance with the Japan Horticultural Standard Color Chart (JHSCC). The following is a detailed description of the new variety:

-   Plant description:     -   -   Breeding.—Produced by controlled pollination. Parents:             (Jonathan×Pink Pearl)×Fuji. Pollination self-incompatibility             group: S3S9. Method of propagating the variety: vegetative             propagation through grafting.         -   Tree type.—Ramified. Tree habit: spreading. Trunk (bark):             grayish brown, 1317 (JHSCC). Branches: grayish brown, 1317             (JHSCC). Height (5 year old tree): 3.9 m. Trunk diameter (at             30 cm above the graft) 8.6 cm. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Length of internode (one-year-old shoot).—Short(2.7 cm).             Number of lenticels (one-year-old shoot) few. Lenticel             shape: round. Lenticel number/cm²: 12.4. lenticel color:             pale reddish yellow, 2202 (JHSCC). Color (one year-old             shoot): dark grayish brown, 1318 (JHSCC).         -   Leaf blade attitude in relation to shoot.—Upwards. Leaf             blade length: medium (8.8 cm). Leaf color: deep yellow             green, 4006 (JHSCC).         -   Leaf blade width.—Medium (5.7 cm). Leaf blade ratio             length/width: medium (1.54).         -   Petiole length.—Short (2.7 cm). -   Flower description:     -   -   Predominant color at balloon stage.—Strong pink, 0105             (JHSCC). Diameter with petals pressed into horizontal             position: small (3.5 cm). Arrangement of petals: free.         -   Time of beginning of flowering (10% open flowers).—Medium. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit size.—Very large. Weight (360 g under Japanese             cultivating technique). Height: tall (8.5 cm). Diameter:             large (9.5 cm). Ratio height/diameter: medium (0.89). Size             of eye: small. Bloom of skin: moderate. Intensity of over             colour: light with mixed orange-green colouring. Area of             russet around stalk attachment: absent or small. Area of             russet around eye basin: absent or small. Fruit skin color:             bright yellow orange, 1906 (JHSCC).         -   Length of stalk.—Long (2.5 cm) Thickness of stalk: medium             (2.0 mm). Depth of stalk cavity: deep (2.3 cm). Width of             stalk cavity: medium (4.5 cm). Depth of eye basin: medium             (0.6 cm). Width of eye basin: medium (2.8 cm). Aperture of             locules (in transverse section): fully open.         -   General shape of fruit.—Ovoid. Relative area of over colour             of fruit: medium (Gala). Observed dates for harvest period:             late October to early/late November, Nagano prefecture,             Japan. Hue of under colour (bloom removed):             orange/pink/bright white lenticels. Pattern of over colour:             flushed and mottled. Time of eating maturity: late (Fuji).             Color of flesh is strong purplish red, 9705 (JHSCC). Acidity             of flesh is low. Titlate acidity: 0.52%. Soluble solids:             14.2%. Firmness: 15.8 lb.         -   Duration of storage.—Common and cold storage is very long.             Cold storage: two months. Shelf life: two weeks.         -   Disease susceptibility.—No known resistances to pests and             diseases. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct apple tree substantially as illustrated and described herein. 